The Challenge: The First Woman Coxswain of the Harvard Varsity Heavyweight Crew

by Devin Mahony, Devin Mahoney

The first woman coxswain of the Harvard University varsity heavyweight crew recounts her struggle to be accepted in an all-male domain and her hard-fought victories in intercollegiate rowing competions and the Henley Royal Regatta

Genres: Nonfiction

242 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1989

Reviews

[Leslie Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

BEST THING EVER: the paragraphs from the novice coach T__ (something) about the cheetah. P78-79. Patience is about confidence. "When it is time, one swipe does not ring the gazelle to its knees, but to its death."

I both liked and didn't like how much of a non-issue it was that she was the first woman in her role. I liked that it was a book about coxing, but I also would have liked it if it was a book about being a woman. I think considering that it was a book about coxing, there was an acceptable amount of talk about her role as a woman -- but I also think it could've been enhanced if she could have written a book that truly was about both, the intersectionality of the two, if you will.

Things I reacted to from this book:
- Coxing is such an exhausting role! Having to be invulnerable, invincible, focused and concentrated while withstanding a deluge of negative feedback from everywhere. I wonder to what extent other coxswains feel these things as central to their role.
- Loved the relationship between Harry Parker and Devin. I marveled at it, though, because I relate to the relationship part but she seemed so calm about the level of distance they still held. Like she felt totally appropriate about how totally appropriate it was.
- Lots of good reminders about how smart coxswains, good coxswains, can get just way too much shit from everyone around them that they don't deserve.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book about rowing from the cox's point of view. Devin Mahony was the first woman cox for the Harvard Varsity Crew.
Easy, fun read.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This offers the rowing world a rare view into the coxswain's side of the sport. Great imagery and emotion... she really puts you into a boat on the Charles River.